Netflix is scheduled to release one movie a week throughout 2021, confirming its place as the leading streaming service in the world. The giant, which has already ventured into movie and television series territory, continues to offer exciting, riveting, and entertaining options from all around the world, and it doesn't seem like it'll stop anytime soon.
With hits like Extraction and The Old Guard, Netflix now has a successful track record when it comes to action movies, one that is bound to keep increasing with the upcoming releases of Red Notice and Sweet Girl. And while some of these projects have higher scores than others in Metacritic, they all did, and continue doing, their part to establish Netflix as a leading force in entertainment.
Sand Castle - 45
Starring Nicholas Hoult, Logan Marshall-Green, and Henry Cavill, Sand Castle is based on the experiences of its writer, Chris Roessner, as a soldier during the Iraq War. The film follows a young US soldier who is tasked with restoring water to a village in Iraq.
Released in April 2017 on Netflix, the film received mixed reviews from critics, who described it as effective and authentic but ultimately conventional and forgettable. Hoult and Cavill's performances received attention, and the film scored a 45 on Metacritic, indicating "Mixed or Average Reviews."
Spenser Confidential - 49
Directer by Peter Berg, Spenser Confidential is a 2020 action-comedy film starring Mark Wahlberg and Winston Duke. The fifth collaboration between Wahlberg and Berg, the film tells the story of Spenser, a former-cop who teams up with his roommate, Hawk, to take down criminals in Boston's criminal underworld.
The film received mixed-to-negative reviews. Praise went to Wahlberg and Duke's chemistry, but the film was heavily criticized for its lack of comedy and thrills, as well its conventionality. On Metacritic, the film scored an average of 49 based on 20 critical reviews.
Project Power - 51
Project Power is a 2020 superhero-action film directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman. It stars Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Dominique Fishback, and follows a drug dealer, a police officer, and a former soldier who team up to stop the distribution of a superpower-granting pill.
Released in August 2020, Project Power received mostly positive reviews. Most of the praise went to the three lead performances, the action sequences, and strong visuals, but it was criticized for its lack of ambition and for not making full use of its premise. On Metacritic, the film achieved an average of 51 based on 35 critical reviews.
Extraction - 56
A Russo Brothers-produced star vehicle for Chris Hemsworth, Extraction is about a black-ops mercenary tasked with rescuing the son of an Indian drug lord in Bangladesh. Directed by Sam Hargrave in his feature directorial debut, the film is based on the graphic novel Ciudad by Ande Parks, Fernando León González, Eric Skillman, and the Russo Brothers.
One of Netflix's most successful releases, Extraction received mostly positive reviews. Hemsworth's performance and the stunt work received acclaim, but the film was heavily criticized by what was seen as senseless and gratuitous violence. It received a score of 56 on Metacritic and an average of 60% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Outlaw King - 59
A 2018 historical-drama action film, Outlaw King stars Chris Pine as Robert the Bruce, the 14th century Scottish King who launched a guerrilla war against the much larger English army. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Florence Pugh, and Stephen Dillane co-star in the David Mackenzie-directed film.
Premiering at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival, Outlaw King was released on Netflix in November of the same year. It received mostly positive reviews, with particular praise going to Pine's committed performance and the staging of the medieval battles, but criticism was aimed at the many historical liberties taken. With an average score of 59, it sits on the far end of the "Mixed or Average Reviews" camp.
Triple Frontier - 61
In Triple Frontier, Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Pedro Pascal, and Garrett Hedlund star as a group of former US Army Delta Force soldiers who reunite to plan a heist of a South American crime lord. J. C. Chandor directs the film, based on a screenplay he wrote alongside Mark Boal.
Released by Netflix in March 2019, the film received generally favorable critics from reviewers. The ensemble cast was deemed outstanding, able to compensate for the narrative flaws. With an average score of 61, Triple Frontier received a "Generally Favorable Reviews" seal of approval from Metacritic.
Wheelman - 66
Written and directed by Jeremy Rush, Wheelman is about a getaway driver who, after being double-crossed in a robbery gone wrong, must race to find who betrayed him before it's too late. Frank Grillo stars in the action thriller, alongside Garret Dillahunt and Caitlin Carmichael.
Released in October 2017, the film received positive reviews from critics. Praise went towards Grillo's lead performance, with reviewers claiming the film was an above-average B movie. It received an average score of 66 on Metacritic, although based on only four critics' reviews.
The Night Comes For Us - 69
A 2018 action thriller written and directed by Timo Tjahjanto, The Night Comes For Us stars Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim, Julie Estelle, and Zack Lee. It follows a crime enforcer who turns his back on his life as a killer to protect the life of a young girl.
After premiering at Fantastic Fest in September 2018, the film was released by Netflix in October of the same year. The film received acclaim from critics, who praised the film's stylishly violent storytelling, calling it ludicrous and cartoonish, but ultimately effective and exhilarating. With a score of 69 at Metacritic, the film earned "Generally Favorable Reviews."
The Old Guard - 70
Charlize Theron confirms her place among the definitive action icons of today with The Old Guard. Based on the comic of the same name, the film tells the story of a team of immortal mercenaries on a revenge mission. Chiwetel Ejiofor and Matthias Schoenaerts co-star, alongside an ensemble cast.
Released in July 2020, The Old Guard received a largely positive response from critics, who praised Theron's commanding performance and the film's sophisticated action sequences. 45 critics gave it an average of 70 on Metacritic, while it has an 80% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Okja - 75
Visionary director Bong Joon-ho directed and co-wrote this film about a young girl who raises a genetically modified super-pig. It stars a large ensemble cast led by South-Korean child actress Ahn Seo-hyun, and which also includes Tilda Swinton, Paul Dano, Steven Yeun, Lily Collins, and Jake Gyllenhaal.
Okja competed for the Palm d'Or at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival before being released by Netflix on June 2017. The film was critically acclaimed, with much of the praise going to the daring narrative and Bong's directorial vision. On Metacritic, it achieved an average score of 75, based on 36 reviews, indicating "Generally Favorable Reviews."